Plier-like device for attaching and detaching split shot



June 10, 1958 D. HARDY 2,837,950

PLIER-LIKE DEVICE FOR ATTACHING AND DETACHING SPL'IT SHOT Filed Oct. 11. 1954 .HVVENTOR.

United States Patent PLIER-LIKE DEVICE FOR ATTACHING AND DETACHING SPLIT SHOT Duane Hardy, Salt Lake City, Utah I Application October 11, 1954, Serial No. 461,465

4 Claims. (Cl. 81-15) The invention relates to improvements in machines or devices of this nature in that it has a magazine for containing its own split shot or solid type (round) sinkers, to encompass all sizes up to size buck shot, 24 more or less in number, making the actual application of or detaching of the shot a one-handed operation.

The objects of improvement are:

First, a magazine for containing the shot.

Second, to apply the shot with no other implements.

Third, the device will cut the shot completely in half for removal, or, by opening the split in the shot will return it to the magazine for further use.

An over-all side view of one form of the invention is shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 is an axial section taken through line 2--2 of Figure 3. Fig. 3 is a front-end elevational view of the device with the parts in the positions shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to Figs. 13 the present improved device for attaching split shot to lead lines and the like, and for detaching the shot therefrom comprises a pair of handles 1 and 2 arranged so that they may be grasped in one hand. The handle 1 is of tubular structure, having an opening at its right end, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, and having a top opening at its left end, the latter being defined in part by an upstanding, transverse end wall 9 adapted to constitute a stop. Intermediate its ends the handle 1 fixedly carries a yoke or U-shaped member 5 through which a pivot pin 4 passes, said pin also passing through an intermediate pivotal portion of the handle 2 and being retained in place by screws 13 threaded into its ends. handles 1 and 2 are thus connected for relative pivotal movement.

A releasable stop is provided, comprising a leaf spring 6 having a circular eye portion 14 secured to the handle Q 1 in the position shown, the leafspring 6 also having an upstanding stop portion 15 extending through a bottom opening 16 in the handle 1 adjacent the right end thereof as viewed in Fig. 2. The stop portion of the leaf spring 6 may be shifted out of alignment with the opening or bore of the handle 1, by pressing downward on the right extremity of the spring, which projects beyond the handle 1 as shown. Such action is made possible due to the resilient construction of the spring 6, and upon release of said pressure the spring will resume its normal position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Shot may be loaded into the handle 1 by thus actuating the leaf spring 6 to shift the upstanding stop thereof out of the magazine chamber.

Engaging the pivot pin 4 is a V-shaped leaf spring 3 having 2. depending stop or end portion 17 extending into the bore of the handle 1 through the top opening thereof at the left end of'the handle. portion 17 of the spring 3, see Fig. 3, has a lateral extension 18 comprising a finger piece projecting laterally from the handle 1, by which the spring 3 may be actuated to raise the stop portion thereof out of the bore As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the

The stop or end ICC of the handle 1, thereby to release a shot for movement into the top opening of the handle and against the end stop 9.

When a shot upon such release is not facing in the proper direction, it may be readily positioned by reach ing into the top opening with the fingers, since access is provided for this purpose.

For the purpose of releasably locking the device in the closed or inoperative position as shown in Fig. 1 I provide a locking link 11 pivotally secured to the underside of the handle 1 adjacent the left end thereof, said link being swingable between an upright position as shown in Fig. 1 wherein it locks the handles 1 and 2 together, and .a releasing position as shown in Fig. 2, wherein it releases the handles. The leaf spring 3 normally tends to separate the handles 1 and 2, as will be readily understood.

For the purpose of performing operations on a shot, the handle 1 is provided with a depending wedge memher 7 at its leftmost end as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, and there is further provided a relatively thin anvil member 8 integral with and disposed at right angles to the wedge member 7. Operation is accomplished by bending downward the spring 6, loading the handle 1 of the magazine, and then grasping the device in the right hand not unlike a pair of pliers and releasing the lock mechanism 11 with forward pressure of the thumb thereon. The working ends of the device are then tipped downward and the fingerpiece 17 of the spring lever 3 is lifted, allowing one shot to roll forward against the wedge 7. Releasing the pressure on the handles 1 and 2 now allows the handles to pivot about the pin 4, which is supported by the yoke 5 and screws 13, letting one shot roll forward to the stop 9. The fishing line or leader is then grasped conveniently in the left hand and laid in the split in the shot. Pressure now applied on the members 1 and 2 brings the anvil 8 in contact with the shot, and increased pressure closes the shot about the fishing line of the leader, completing the attaching operation.

To detach the shot, place the leader and attached shot, with the split in alignment with the Wedge 7, in the opening 10. Pressure now applied to the handles 1 and 2, forces the wedge 7 into the shot, releasing the leader. By tipping the device and lifting the stop 17, the released shot is allowed to return to the magazine for further use.

If the shot is not to be used again, the leader with the attached shot is placed under the wedge 7, when pressure applied on the handles 1 and 2 will cut the shot in half, releasing the leader and thereby completing the operation of this device.

I claim:

1. A tool for performing operations on split shot, comprising a pair of members disposed in crossed, plierlike relation and having operating ends for engaging a shot, one of said members having channel means providing a magazine for shot, and having a discharge opening at one end, through which the stored shot may pass; means pivotally connecting said members for plierlike relative movements; spring means normally tending to separate the operating ends of said members; and a stop disposed in said discharge opening and connected with and actuated by said spring means, for retaining shot in the channel means of said one member, said stop being manually operable against the action of said spring means to release the shot.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the spring means acts on the said operating ends, and in which there is a releasable lock comprising an oblong loop carried by the operating end of one member at a point inwardly spaced from the tip thereof a distance more than one-half the length of the loop and engageable with the operating end of the other member, for holding said operating ends of the members closely positioned against the action of said spring means.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the member having the channel rneans is tubular, and in which the pivot means comprises a yoke extending around said tubular member and comprises a pivot pin passing through said yoke and through the said other member.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the member having the channel means is tubular and has a second opening adjacent its other end, and in which there is a second stop comprising a finger extending into said second opening and comprising a leaf spring carrying said finger, having one end secured to the tubular 15 4 member and having its other end projecting beyond the end of the tubular member for manual actuation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 580,556 Reinhold Apr. 13, 1897 2,079,505 Hopkins May 4, 1937 2,296,574 Rodgers Sept. 22, 1942 2,603,992 Brown et a1. July 22, 1952 2,618,994 Frazee Nov. 25, 1952 2,627,769 Anderson et a1 Feb. 10, 1953 2,651,958 Deline Sept. 15, 1953 2,653,332 Precious Sept. 29, 1953 2,656,746 Glass et a1. Oct. 27, 1953 

